One year ago, Russellville city officials were faced with approving a 2005 budget based on hope - of at least $400,000 in additional sales tax and other revenues to fund a budget totaling $8.82 million that included significant pay restructuring for police officers and $1,000 lump-sum bonuses for most other city employees.

Hope turned to prosperity Tuesday afternoon at City Hall as Alderman and Finance Committee Chairman Cliff Kirchner reported this year's revenues will exceed $9.5 million - 6.5 percent, or nearly $500,000 better than projected last December.

"We had a really good year, it looks like," Kirchner explained. "The revenues are really strong, particularly in sales tax. What's really good, too, is our (year-to-date) expenditures are down 5.8 percent. I'd like to applaud our department heads for keeping control of their expenses."

Kirchner went on to say the city's general fund bank balance at Nov. 30 stood at $1.69 million.

"What's really surprising is our cash balance," the alderman noted. "We're really excited about that. We are certainly doing better than other parts of the state and country. If you just drive around town, you can see all the economic growth we've got growing - particularly the new Wal-Mart (Supercenter) coming in - and a lot of other commercial business coming in. That just means more sales tax money for us, so it's a good trend."

Another revenue increase could come when the council meets for the final time this year at 7 p.m. Dec. 15. Aldermen will consider a new business resolution to modify the terms of its water usage with City Corp., Russellville's water utility.

"It's a new concept, and Mr. (Phil) Carruth can be credited for it," Mayor Raye Turner said, explaining the city uses and is charged for nearly $16,000 per month for water. "I would like to modify that so we receive credit up to $16,000, and we would pay anything above $16,000.

"We need to be good stewards of that money, and should update that (amount) every year and go back to the (previous year's) budget and abide by that amount. We have a cap, and we wouldn't be wasteful.

"If City Corp. is an arm of the city, then why are we paying for water?" Turner added. "Conway doesn't pay, Paragould doesn't pay. Any of the cities (in Arkansas) that have water, they do not pay. That would allow us to pay the $15,000 increase to (Pope County) 911."

Zoning items

The council's Dec. 15 agenda includes several items to be considered pertaining to zoning or rezoning:

n Under new business, an ordinance to amend the current zoning ordinance for signage in commercial zones;

n An ordinance to approve the final plat of Ashrook Estates Phase 1, located on Highway 7T/South Knoxville, submitted by Kurt Jones of Crafton, Tull & Associates;

n An ordinance rezoning property from M-2 to C-2 (commercial) at 201 S. Rochester, submitted by Earl Helton of the Bethel Worship Center;

n An ordinance to amend Ordinance No. 1740, Russellville's zoning code, to remove the permitted use of car washes in C-4 zones;

n An ordinance to rezone for a car wash at North Arkansas and North Boston Avenues. Alderman Randal Crouch said C-4 relates to neighborhood and quiet businesses, so car washes should fall under C-2 commercial zoning and be taken out of C-4 requirements.

Other new business items to be considered during the council's Dec. 15 meeting agenda:

n A resolution to authorize Turner and City Clerk Kathy Collins to sign a memorandum of agreement with Carruth for the purposes of street improvements at 910 W. Main Place;

n A resolution to authorize Turner and City Clerk Kathy Collins to sign a memorandum of agreement with Aldona Standridge for the purposes of street improvements at 1519 S. Arkansas;

n An ordinance to amend the Russellville Police Department Wrecker Call Ordinance (No. 1853), to apply business location restrictions for wrecker businesses not on the RPD wrecker call list at this time. After discussion, aldermen agreed that two wrecker businesses in question should be included at the same time, or not at all.

n Discussion and review of capital requests per department;

n A resolution to reorganize the city council. Included in the resolution is to change the council's Finance Committee meeting from 5:15 to 5:45 p.m. the day of the regular council meeting; to allow public input from 5:45 to 6, then the council's regular meeting time would be moved from 7 to 6 p.m.

n An appointment to City Corp. Aldermen suggested they would also like a resolution to vote on to be made aware of appointments when they receive their packets prior to regular meetings. An earlier suggestion of being made aware of appointments 30 days in advance was also suggested.

Appropriations

Appropriations, pass-thrus and fund transfers to be considered by the council:

n $200 to fund additional phone expenses;

n $9,532 to fund gravel for Shiloh Road and additional building maintenance;

n $178,000 to fund real estate purchase for Con Agra project located in East End Industrial Park;